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Hamas airs 'first Shalit message' | Hamas airs 'first Shalit message' |
(10 minutes later) | |
The Palestinian captors of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit have broadcast what they say is his first audio message since his capture a year ago. | The Palestinian captors of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit have broadcast what they say is his first audio message since his capture a year ago. |
The voice on the tape says his health is worsening and he needs medical help. | The voice on the tape says his health is worsening and he needs medical help. |
The recording was put on a website of the military wing of Hamas. Cpl Shalit was seized near the Gaza border in a joint raid by three militant groups. | The recording was put on a website of the military wing of Hamas. Cpl Shalit was seized near the Gaza border in a joint raid by three militant groups. |
Hamas has demanded the release of prisoners from Israeli jails, but Israel ruled out any negotiations. | Hamas has demanded the release of prisoners from Israeli jails, but Israel ruled out any negotiations. |
Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said Hamas was making "cynical use of the suffering of Gilad Shalit". | |
She was speaking as leaders from Israel, Egypt and Jordan met in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, in an apparent show of support for Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. | |
Mr Abbas is engaged in a bitter power struggle with Hamas militants, who have taken over the Gaza Strip. | Mr Abbas is engaged in a bitter power struggle with Hamas militants, who have taken over the Gaza Strip. |
'Good health' | 'Good health' |
In the message, posted on a website supporting the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, the man purported to be Cpl Shalit is heard speaking Hebrew. | In the message, posted on a website supporting the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, the man purported to be Cpl Shalit is heard speaking Hebrew. |
[Israel] should meet the demands of my kidnappers so I can be released Audio message attributed to Cpl Shalit Full text: 'Shalit's' message 2006: Soldier seized in raid Mid-East leaders hold summit | [Israel] should meet the demands of my kidnappers so I can be released Audio message attributed to Cpl Shalit Full text: 'Shalit's' message 2006: Soldier seized in raid Mid-East leaders hold summit |
"I've been in prison one year. My situation is deteriorating. I need an extended period in hospital," the voice says. | "I've been in prison one year. My situation is deteriorating. I need an extended period in hospital," the voice says. |
"I am sorry that the Israeli government has not shown more interest. It should meet the demands of my kidnappers so I can be released." | "I am sorry that the Israeli government has not shown more interest. It should meet the demands of my kidnappers so I can be released." |
It was not possible to authenticate the tape, although Cpl Shalit's father, Noam, told Israeli media it sounded genuine. | It was not possible to authenticate the tape, although Cpl Shalit's father, Noam, told Israeli media it sounded genuine. |
Israeli officials said they had no doubt that the text had been dictated by Hamas to the 20-year-old soldier. | |
Earlier, a spokesman for the militants holding him said he was in good health. | |
Abu Mujahid, of the Popular Resistance Committees, said Cpl Shalit was being treated according to Islamic law. | Abu Mujahid, of the Popular Resistance Committees, said Cpl Shalit was being treated according to Islamic law. |
Shalit's family have attended a rally marking one year of captivity | Shalit's family have attended a rally marking one year of captivity |
The Hamas militants have also released what purports to be video footage of the raid in which Cpl Shalit was captured on 25 June 2006. | |
The operation was claimed by the al-Qassam Brigades, the Popular Resistance Committees, and the Army of Islam, and triggered a large-scale Israeli operation in the Gaza Strip. | |
Cpl Shalit's captors have handed over a list of prisoners they want freed in exchange for him. | Cpl Shalit's captors have handed over a list of prisoners they want freed in exchange for him. |
About 10,000 Palestinian prisoners are being held in Israeli jails, some without charge. | About 10,000 Palestinian prisoners are being held in Israeli jails, some without charge. |
Egypt has been trying to broker the soldier's release, but the negotiations have been suspended because of the unrest in the Palestinian territories. | |
'Legitimate target' | 'Legitimate target' |
On Sunday, Noam Shalit criticised Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert for not doing more to secure his son's release. | On Sunday, Noam Shalit criticised Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert for not doing more to secure his son's release. |
"It's the test of a leader," said Mr Shalit. "If you do not know what to do, give your portfolio to someone who can bring about results immediately." | "It's the test of a leader," said Mr Shalit. "If you do not know what to do, give your portfolio to someone who can bring about results immediately." |
Israeli human rights group B'Tselem has accused Cpl Shalit's captors of committing a war crime. | Israeli human rights group B'Tselem has accused Cpl Shalit's captors of committing a war crime. |
"International humanitarian law absolutely prohibits taking and holding a person by force in order to compel the enemy to meet certain demands, while threatening to harm or kill the person if the demands are not met," the group said. | "International humanitarian law absolutely prohibits taking and holding a person by force in order to compel the enemy to meet certain demands, while threatening to harm or kill the person if the demands are not met," the group said. |
"Furthermore, hostage-taking is considered a war crime." | "Furthermore, hostage-taking is considered a war crime." |
Abu Mujahid brushed off B'Tselem's accusation, saying the soldier was a prisoner of war who had been captured inside a tank used to fight Palestinians. | Abu Mujahid brushed off B'Tselem's accusation, saying the soldier was a prisoner of war who had been captured inside a tank used to fight Palestinians. |
"Any occupiers on the land are a legitimate target because they are soldiers," he said. | "Any occupiers on the land are a legitimate target because they are soldiers," he said. |